Man charged for shooting in Pottstown that may have stemmed from fight

Pottstown police officer Charles McClincy searches a vehicle that was severely shot up in an apparent drive by shooting in 400 block of Beech Street at North Washington Street June 25.
(Photo by Kevin Hoffman, The Mercury)

POTTSTOWN — Police have charged a man connected to a shooting incident that occurred in the borough on June 25 around 9:13 p.m.

Jarrod Scott Jones Jr., 23, of Stowe, was charged with one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of possession of a prohibited firearm, one felony count of carrying a gun without a license and other related charges.

Police believe that the shooting and a fight at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and North Warren Street on June 25 are connected.

Last week, police arrested the alleged attacker of a 14-year-old girl who was watching the fight.

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Jones is the older brother of the teen, police said.

Desri J. “Boots” Rome, 37, of Pottstown, is the alleged attacker of the teenage victim. Rome was arrested on June 27 and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment, according to court documents.

More than one video of the fight, which spectators and participants are calling the “Pottstown royal rumble,” has surfaced on Facebook and YouTube.

According to police, Rome can be seen on one of the videos strangling the girl, slamming her head against a car trunk and throwing her to the ground.

Police said that the victim told Jones immediately after the assault that Rome was the one who hurt her. “Boots slammed me,” she allegedly said.

While police were talking to individuals involved in the fight, police said Jones came to the lobby of the police department and yelled, “You know I’m going to pull! You know I’m going to pull! You nut ass,” then left.

According to police, Jones called and made threats to Rome’s mother, Grace, and his daughter on June 25. Jones allegedly told Rome’s family to have Rome meet him but police did not say where the two men were going to meet.

At 9:13 p.m. on that day, police responded to multiple calls for shots fired near Beech Street and North Washington Street. When they arrived, police found a silver Infiniti with several bullet holes and a smashed windshield.

No one was injured when the shots were fired, police said.

According to police, the investigating officer recognized the car as the one Rome was driving earlier in the day.

Police said witnesses to the shooting saw three men fighting. One man, according to witness statements, was wearing the same white shirt and red basketball shorts Jones had on earlier that day. Witnesses told police the man wearing the red shorts had a gun and was chasing another man later identified as Rome.

On July 1, police said Jones turned himself in.

Jones’ monetary bail was set at $100,000 by District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr., according to court documents. He is confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Jones’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 15, in front of District Judge Scott T. Palladino.

Rome’s bail was set at $50,000 on June 27, which he posted on July 1, court documents said. His next hearing is scheduled for July 18 in Kropp’s courtroom.

Police are still investigating the two incidents as well as the planned fight.